Exotic pet laws in Mississippi
Rules read from each state's law on 10 November 2026. Not legal advice.
The table lists every animal we cover and what Mississippi law says about keeping it as a pet. Each row links to the rule it rests on; animals link to their own state-by-state guide.
Animal by animal in Mississippi
| Animal | Status | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | Mississippi bans possessing live raccoons. The captive game and furbearer rule allows only zoos, vets caring for sick animals, and similar exceptions, so private pet keeping is not allowed. Animals found are confiscated. | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.4(A)-(B) |
| Red fox | Banned | Mississippi bans keeping live fox as pets. Live fox may be held only in permitted hunting fox enclosures or briefly by licensed trappers selling to those enclosures. | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 7.1(F) |
| Skunk | Banned | Mississippi classes skunks as nuisance animals and bans keeping them alive. The only exceptions are coyote, fox and wild hogs in specific enclosures, so skunks cannot be kept as pets. | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 7.1(A), (F) |
| Big cat | Banned | Mississippi lists lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs and cougars as inherently dangerous and issues no new permits for them. Only existing permit holders may keep them, so a new pet owner cannot.Existing permit holders only; no new permits | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.3(A)(1)(b) |
| Bobcat | Banned | Mississippi bans possessing live bobcats. The captive game and furbearer rule allows only zoos, vets caring for sick animals, and similar exceptions, so private pet keeping is not allowed. | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.4(A)-(B) |
| Alligator or other crocodilian | Banned | Mississippi bars possessing alligators without a Department permit. The rule offers permits only to agent trappers, alligator ranches (closed to new applicants since 2014) and commercial egg producers, with no pet permit, so private owners cannot keep one.Department permit only; none offered to pet owners | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 5.1(E)(1), (G) |
| Bear | Banned | Mississippi bans possessing live black bears under the captive game and furbearer rule, with exceptions only for zoos and similar. Other bear species are permit-only under the dangerous-animal rule. | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.4(A)-(B);... |
| Wolfdog | Permit needed | Wolves and crosses between wolves and domestic animals are classed as inherently dangerous. A state personal possession permit is required, with age 21 or older, experience or an exam, insurance and inspection.Personal possession permit, 21+, liability insurance, inspection | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.3(A)(5)(b)... |
| Pet monkey | Depends | Apes, macaques, baboons, mandrills, drills and geladas need a state personal possession permit (age 21, experience or exam, insurance). Other monkeys such as capuchins, squirrel monkeys and marmosets are not on the state list.Permit for apes, macaques and baboons only; other monkeys not listed | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.3(A)(5)(a)... |
| Otter | Depends | River otters are banned: Mississippi prohibits live game and furbearing animals, which names the river otter. Asian small-clawed otters are not on a state list, and the Board of Animal Health requires no ownership permit for exotic otters.River otter prohibited; Asian small-clawed otter not listed | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.4(A)-(B) |
| Venomous snake | Depends | Native venomous snakes (copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnakes, coral snake) may be kept for personal use with a state hunting or fishing licence, up to four per species. Other venomous snakes are not on state lists.Native species: licence, limit 4 per species, cage labelled DANGER; nonnative not listed | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 5, Rule 2.3(C)-(D) |
| Axolotl | No state restriction found | The axolotl is not named in any state possession rule I read. The state nongame rule covers native amphibians only, and the axolotl is not native. Out-of-state animals need an import permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Capybara | No state restriction found | Mississippi does not require a permit to own a capybara. The Board of Animal Health lists it among other exotic animals. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Other Exo... |
| African pygmy hedgehog | No state restriction found | Hedgehogs are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no general exotic pet permit applies. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Ferret | No state restriction found | Domestic ferrets are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read. Only the wolverine is named from the weasel family in the dangerous-animal list. Out-of-state animals need an import permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Sugar glider | No state restriction found | Sugar gliders are not on any Mississippi list I read. The state nongame rule names only the native southern flying squirrel. No ownership permit is required. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Serval or savannah cat | No state restriction found | The serval is not named in the Mississippi dangerous-animal list, which covers only lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs and cougars. Savannah cats are not mentioned in the rules I read. Imports need a permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4 |
| Wallaby | No state restriction found | Mississippi does not require a permit to own a wallaby. The Board of Animal Health treats kangaroo-type animals as other exotic animals. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Other Exo... |
| Chinchilla | No state restriction found | Chinchillas are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no general exotic pet permit applies. Out-of-state animals need an import permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4 |
| Tarantula | No state restriction found | Tarantulas are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no state permit applies to pet spiders. Imports of exotic animals need a permit and health certificate. | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4 |
| Kangaroo | No state restriction found | Mississippi does not require a permit to own a kangaroo. The Board of Animal Health names kangaroos among other exotic animals. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Other Exo... |
| Prairie dog | No state restriction found | Prairie dogs are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and they are not native to the state. No ownership permit is required. Imports need a permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Kinkajou | No state restriction found | Mississippi does not require a permit to own a kinkajou. The Board of Animal Health names it among other exotic animals. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | Mississippi Board of Animal Health, Other Exo... |
| Lemur | No state restriction found | Lemurs are not on the Mississippi dangerous-animal list, which names only apes, macaques, baboons, mandrills, drills and geladas among primates. No state ownership permit is listed for them. Imports need a permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rule 8.3(A)(5)(a) |
| Giant constrictor | No state restriction found | Giant constrictors are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no state length limit or permit applies. Imports of exotic animals need a permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Tegu | No state restriction found | Tegus are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read, and no state permit applies. Imports of exotic animals need a permit and health certificate.Import: entry permit and veterinary health certificate | 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Rules 8.3 and 8.4... |
| Fennec fox | Not verified yet | We could not confirm Mississippi's rule for this animal yet. Ask Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks before you buy. | Agency page |
Who regulates exotic pets in Mississippi
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is the agency to ask. Any exotic animal entering Mississippi needs a prior entry permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection (Board of Animal Health). Live native game and furbearers (raccoon, bobcat, river otter, black bear) and nuisance animals (fox, skunk, coyote) cannot be kept as pets. Native reptiles and amphibians may be kept with a hunting or fishing licence within possession limits.
The main texts:
- Miss. Code Ann. 49-8-1 to 49-8-19 (dangerous wild animals)
- Rule 8.3 Animals Inherently Dangerous to Humans
- Rule 8.4 Game and Furbearing Animals in Captivity
- Board of Animal Health, Other Exotic Animals
Before you buy in Mississippi
- Ask the state agency above, in writing if you can, and keep the answer.
- Ask your county and city: local ordinances can ban an animal the state allows.
- Check your lease, homeowners or renters insurance and any homeowner association rules.
- Buy only from a seller who can show the animal is captive-bred and legal to ship to Mississippi.
See every state in exotic pet laws by state, or test one animal in the legality checker.
How we checked. For each state we read the statutes, administrative code and agency lists that govern keeping wild or exotic animals, and every row above links to the text it rests on. A second, independent reviewer then re-read the same sources, and a row is shown only if it survived that check. "Not verified yet" means a state's rule could not be read or confirmed, which is a gap in our data and not a green light. County and city ordinances, landlord and insurance rules, and federal law sit on top of the state rule. Read how we check. See an error? Email hello@creaturesincrisis.org with the link.
Quick answers
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Mississippi?
- Banned. Mississippi bans possessing live raccoons. The captive game and furbearer rule allows only zoos, vets caring for sick animals, and similar exceptions, so private pet keeping is not allowed. Animals found are confiscated.
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Mississippi?
- Depends. Apes, macaques, baboons, mandrills, drills and geladas need a state personal possession permit (age 21, experience or exam, insurance). Other monkeys such as capuchins, squirrel monkeys and marmosets are not on the state list.
- Is it legal to own a fox in Mississippi?
- Banned. Mississippi bans keeping live fox as pets. Live fox may be held only in permitted hunting fox enclosures or briefly by licensed trappers selling to those enclosures.
- Is it legal to own a skunk in Mississippi?
- Banned. Mississippi classes skunks as nuisance animals and bans keeping them alive. The only exceptions are coyote, fox and wild hogs in specific enclosures, so skunks cannot be kept as pets.
- Is it legal to own a ferret in Mississippi?
- No state restriction found. Domestic ferrets are not on any Mississippi list of prohibited or permit-only animals that I read. Only the wolverine is named from the weasel family in the dangerous-animal list. Out-of-state animals need an import permit and health certificate.
- Is it legal to own a capybara in Mississippi?
- No state restriction found. Mississippi does not require a permit to own a capybara. The Board of Animal Health lists it among other exotic animals. Animals brought in from out-of-state need an entry permit and health certificate.
- Who do I ask about exotic pets in Mississippi?
- Start with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Then ask your county and city.